Conveying mechanism for dishwashing machines



w. L I INDGREN 1,857,730

CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR. DISHWASHING MACHINES Filed Dec. 15, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l May l0, 1932.

JNVENTOR:

' ATTORNEY.

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3 Sheets-SheerI 2 INI/ENTOR:

A TTORNE Y.

W. L. LINDGREN CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR DISHWASHING MACHINES Filed Deo. 15, 1930 May 1o, 1932.

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CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR DISHWASHING MACHINES Filed Deo. 151950 5 sheets-sheet 3 `|I m @L C@ m. "www @777- 'Il' ,Y a: r v ff F 57 7a 5 C@ @yllcmma @M 65 ll l l li 6 6 IN VEN TOR.'

65 l BY Waww-LIZW l Patented May 1Q, 1932 "unirse srarss rar-,snr caries' WALDEMAR L. LINDGREN, or WAUKEGAN, rLLriois, essie-Nos oF ONE-HALF To JOHN E. Earcssoir, or' crrrcaeo, ILLINoIs l CONVEYlNG MECHANISM FOR DISHWASI-IING IVIACIHINESv Application filed December 15, `1930. Serial No. 502,316.

My invention is concerned with conveying Y" Vmechanism for dish-washing machines of the type in which the dishes, etc., are carried through the machine on the upper run of an endless carrier, such, for instance, as is shown in my Patent No. 1,798,426, 'granted March 31,

1931, and my present invention is intended to produce such a device, Vin which knives, forks, spoons, etc., may be readily carried through it, and, when desired, be discharged upon the eX- tension of the sink proper, or at'some other desired point, instead of being discharged on the table on which cups, saucers, plates, etc., are discharged.

To this end, it consists in anovel structure and combination of elements, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, and vthe novel features and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

To illustrate my invention, I annex hereto three sheets of drawings, in which the'same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, of which,-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of g5 a dish-washing machine Vembodyingmy invention, in which the conveying mechanism is seen in vertical section on the line 1 1 of` 5; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; l. Y

Fig. 3 is a detail in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Y i

Fig. 4 is-a slightly enlarged view of the right-hand end ofFig. 1, but with the eject-V 35 ing rollers in a different position; Y

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the mechanism seen in Fig. 4, with a portion' of the conveyor proper and associated mechanism broken away; l I io Figo is a side elevation of one of the links `employed in the conveyor, and'Fig. 7 is a detail on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

in Vcarrying out my invention in its pre-V ferred form, the conveying mechanism proper removably placed in the sink 10, which provided with piping connections 11 and 12 leading from the hot and cold water supply pipes to a casting 13 which is provided with a swiveled discharge spout 14 in the face thereof and adapted to discharge tempered water into the sink in the customary manner when the dish-washing machine is not in use. The casting is also provided with the hot and cold water cocks lvand 16, and also .with the upper and lower soapy-.water spray pipes 17 and 18,v which are swiveled in the pair of lugs 19, and it is likewiseprovided" with the pair of rinse-water spray pipes V2() and 21,5which are likewiseswiveled in lugs f22 and 23, the lugs` 19, 19, 22 and'23 projecting forwardly from the fourjcorners ofthe rectangular casting 13.` The casting 13 `is provided with suitable vinternal Vconduits (not shown), by which/che water from the pipes 11 and=12 is controlled by the cocks"l 15 and 16, and is discharged downward from the spray pipes 17 and V20 and upward from l the spray pipes 18 and '21,. when they 4are turned to extend transversely of the sink and across the conveyingv mechanism to` be del' scribed. The mechanism heretofore referred to is fully described and claimed in the companion application No. 502,315, of even date herewith. f

The motive power `for the conveyorconsists of the electric motor 24, Awhich is suitably secured onrthe top of the casting 13, and has its armature shaft 25provided with the worm 26 meshing with the worm gear wheel 27 se- V.cured on the upper end ofthe shaft 28, theAj u Agears 26-and 27 being enclosed in the ,hous-V ing 29. The lower end of the shaft 28 is y provided with a wormv 30 meshing with a` worm gear wheel 31V secured on the shortv shaft 32 journaled in the housing 33 for the gears 30 and 31, which housing has a short tubular extension 34 projecting through the aperture 35 provided in the bottom of the 'casting 13 and held in place by the nut 36on the threaded outer end of the tubular eXtenl sion34.V The shaft 32 has pinned on the outer left-h an d) end thereof the clutch member 37 which co-operates withthe clutch member 38,

which is frictionally'mo'unted on the sleeve 39 pinned on the inner end of the horizontal drive shaft 4C).` The friction connection between the clutch member 38 andthe sleeve 39 is provided by meansof they friction disks 41 interposed ion .one side between the inner portion of the clutch member 38 and the diskf` ice y 42 formed on the inner end of the sleeve 39, and at the other side between the other side of the inner portion of the clutch member 38 and the nut 43 which is held in place by the loclrnut 44 on the threadedouter end of the sleeve 39. Vith'this sli-p clutch arrangement shown, the friction .between the clutch member 38 an d the sleeve 39 can be adjusted to any rdesired degree so that, un der-ordinary conditions, the shaft 40 will bedriven and the conveyor operated, but in case of some obstruction offering substantial Yresistance 'to Vthe further movement of the conveyor, the shaft 40 will cease to rotate, 'while the clutch member l sideof the casting 43 to support that side of 'the vconveying` mechanism, the Iother rside being supported bythe brackets 49 projecting forwardly from the side piece 45 and resting on the front edge of the sinh, one of `said brackets 49 being shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft 40 is jour-naled in suitable vbearings formed-in thecenter of the side plates 45 and 46 and has secured thereon one or more sip-rociret wheels 50, one of said sprocket -Wheels bei-ng preferablylocated just inside. of

each of the side pieces `45 and 46. These sprocket wheels mesh lwith the rods '51 which -forni the transverse members of the' endless conveyor which is carried by Vthe pairs of sprochetwheels 52 and '53 preferablysecured on shafts 54 and 55 suitably journaled in the side pieces 45 and 46 near the ends thereof. Vthe longitudinal members of the conveyor are formed ofthe links 56, which, as best seen in 6, have the elongated apertures 57 therein, the inner and radjacent ends of said apertures bei-ng circular and of a diameter se that they will `pass ver the rods 51, while the outer Aends thereof are vcircular and of a reduced diameter so that they will only pass over the annular recess 58 formed in the rods 51 for the purpose of receiving` said links. 7fWith the construction shown, thelinlrs can be assembled on fthe rods 51, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, by bringing the rods close enough together sothat the enlarged portions of the apertures .57 can pass over `the rods, and when the links are all in position, upon' stretching theconveyor, the'linlrs will 'be secured in place thereon by reason of the engagement of the smaller parts of the recesses with the` annular `grooves 58. y y

The side pieces 45 and 46 are connected at the receiving end by the cross pieces 59 and 460 secured thereto, the cross piece v60 being on the level of the upper run of the conveyor belt, and serving as a table upon which the dishes are placed as they are shoved on to the conveyor. The other ends of the side members are connected by the guide plates 6l located `in the same horizontal planes as that of the'cross piece 59 and by the cross piece 62 located in the same horizontal plane 4as that of the cross piece or .table 6.0, .and

serving .to .receive the cups, saucers and other dishes as they are delivered at that end of the machine, Vand from which they must be removed by hand. The conveyor frame is provided 'with the switch plate 63 which has its outer edgecurved to form a circular recess or tube to receive the -Wire :bail 64 to which it is secured, by spot Welding or otherwise, 'and which bail has the vextension 65 at reach end 'by which it is manipulated, and the inturned ends proper 66 journaled in apertures `in the side plates451and 46, so that this switch plate 63 can yeither be left in the Aposition shown in full `lines in Figs l, 4 and 5, :oirrelse turned up `into Vthe dotted-'lineposition shown,

when yit is desired to deliver Atable cutleryfrom the machine.

The handling of table cutlery on devices -of this character presents something of a problem, and the knives, fortis and spoons are intendedto be laid 'lengthwise transverse ly lof `the conveyor, andto prevent the pos- -sibility .of etheir accidentally falling 'through the meshes thereof, at the start of the passage through the machine, l `provide fthe sheetmetal plate '67 ,seen in vertical `cross section in Fig. l, which 'has its outerniostfend :curved down, as show-n, and secured the brackets 68 supported 'by lthe shaft 54. lts inner end is flat, and entends up far enough to enga-ge the yunder sides 'the 'links 56, and that endv is supported vby downturned portions '69 there- Vof being' fastened to :the lugs f7.0 projecting inwardly from the side pieces 45 and 46.. At

the iuischarge end, l provide the somewhat similar sheet-metal plate 7l, which has its inner endsecured ito the 79, projecting inwardly from the side plates 45 and `46, andv the plate 7l inclined upwardly, as seen in Figs. l and 4, to form cam surface which will engage the portions of table cutlery pro jecting through the meshes of :the conveyor and cani them upward into proper position. The outermost porties-i of the plate 5.7i is curi-Jed into the arc of a circle, and to accommodate vthe linls 56 vand permit ythe plate as a Whole to extend upwardly as far as possibie, the limit being formed by its Contact with ythe rods 5l, l. forniti-herein the elongated slots 73, which receive the links 5'6 :as they pass around the highest part of the plate 7l. The guide plate 6l is designed .to catch the table cutlery which will fall/thereon when the. switch plate 63 is turned up as seen in dotted lines in Fig. l, and the innermost portion 74 thereof 4has the recesses 75 formed r. preferably'sheet-metal brackets 81 having theY therein to permit the adjacent-edges of the Alinks 56 to pass therethrough, and bring the rods 51 in substantial contact with the edge proper, so that the table cutlery cannot be 'caught by said edge as it is delivered on to the plate 61. The outer edge of the plate 71 is supported by the arms 7 6 mountedon the shaft 55. In order to insure the cutlery being Y journaled on a rod 78 secured at its ends in bearings formed in the ends of the pair of leaf springs 79, which have their other ends riveted to the under side of the plate 71, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and to accommodate these disks 77, I provide recesses 80 inthe plate 71, through which recesses the disks 77 project. During the operation of the apparatus, these disks are Constantly vibrated by reason of their co-operation with the rods 51. As seen in Fig. 1,the rods enf gage the disks 77 and force them back, and as each rod passes the disks, they spring back into the position shown in Fig. 4, where they project between the adjacent rods, thus producing a constant vibrating action'that tends to throw the cutlery ofi' of the conveyor and disengage it therefrom, if necessary.

To prevent the disks 77 being accidentally or maliciously pushed in beneath the plate 71 and displaced along the rod 78 and out of the recesses 80, I secure onthe under side of the plate near the ends Vof the rod 78 the slot 82 therein through which the rod` 7 8 passes,the slots 82 being so short that'the rod 78 cannot be moved downward far enough to disengage the disks 77 from the slots 80.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily apparent. When it is not in use, the conveyor is lifted out of the sink, and the spray members 17,18, 20 and '21 are turned parallel to the sink, in which position the water is shut oii' therefrom,'and the spout 14 can-then vbe turned into position across the sink, in which the water controlled by the cocks 15 and 16 is discharged therefrom in the customary manner. When dishes are tov be y washed, `the conveyor, which will' ordinarily be provided with a cover (not shown),

is placed in the sink, the spray members18-v and 21 having been previously'turnedinto operative position vso that they can be passed V through the large recess 83 formed in the side plate 46 to receive the same, the lugs 47 being caught on the hooks 48 vand the clutch' members 37 and 38 likewise being engaged,

the cocks 15 and 16 are manipulated toffureA 'nish water of the desired temperature, the

motor is started, and the dishes are fed from the table 60 on to the conveyor belt. which carries them between .the spray members 17 y and 18 for application of the soapy water.'

Vafter which they are carried between the spray pipes 20 and 21 to rinse oli' lthe soapy ,'water, and they are delivered automatically Von to the table formed by the crosspiece 62 and the switch plate 63, from which they are taken by hand.' When the table cutlery is to 1 be washed, the switch plate 63 is swung to the dotted-line position shown in` Fig. 1, and

the cutlery is then passed through the device as heretofore described.

While I have shown and described Amy invention `as embodied in the form which vI at present consider' best adapted vto carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of modifications, and that I do not Y desire to be limited in the interpretation ofv the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state ofthe prior art.

WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,is 1. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with an endless skeleton conveyor adapted to receive table cutlery at one point and automatically to discharge it at anotherpoint,

of a'camv plate extending beneath .the conveyor toa place just beyond the discharger point, and means to operate the-conveyor, said cam plate adjacent thev discharge'point substantially contacting with the under side Y of the conveyor.

ers beneath the plate projecting into the slots, n

and means to operate the conveyor.

nation 'with 'anendless skeleton conveyor adapted to receive table cutlery at one point and automatically to, discharge it at another point, of a plate extending beneath a portion of the conveyor toaA place just beyond the discharge point, saidplate having slots therein vat the discharge point, spring-pressed rollers beneath the plate projecting into the slots, a discharge guide plate engaging the upper surface of the Vconveyor and having recesses in its adjacent edge to accommodate the passage of the conveyor, and means to operate vthe conveyor. v j

4. Ina dish-washing'machine, vthecombi- "nation with an '.endlessjskeleton conveyor composed of a series ofY transverse parallel rods andv links connecting them 4to form an endless skeleton belt, and supporting sprock et wheels for the same, of a plate extending beneath the conveyor to a place beyond the discharge point, slots in the plate at'its dis-V charge point, spring-pressed rollers beneath the plate projecting into the slots and adapted to be contacted by the rods of the conveyor and moved inwardly thereby' and returned 3. In a dish-washing machine, the comb-i` f engaging the Vupper .surface of the conveyor by the springs, and means'to operate the con-- yeyor. v

In a .dish-washing machine, the'combi-I nation with an endless skeleton conveyorv composed olf a series of transverse parallel rods .and links connecting them to term an endless skeleton belt, and supportingsprockl :ct wheels for the same, of a plate extending beneath the conveyor to a place beyond the discharge point, slots inthe plate at its discharge point, spring-pressed rollers beneath v.theV plate Vprojecting into the slots and :adaptand automatically ed to be contacted by the rods of the con veyor and moved inwardly thereby and returned vby the zsprmigs.,`a discharge guide plate beyond'the discharge point :andhaving recesses in its'zadjacent edge to vaccommodate the passageof the links of the conveyor, and' meanswto nperate the conveyor.

6. ln' a dish-washing machine, the combination with Aan endless vskeleton conveyor adapted to receive table cutlery at one point to discharge it at another point, of :a plate extendingbeneatih the conveyor tto za point beyond fthe discharge point,

said platehaving'slots therein Yat its 4discharge Y' point, leaf fil) ' veyor.

springs secured at oneend to :the under side of the plate, a transverse rod lsecured in the Vtree ends of the leaf springs, rollers journaled on the rod extending into the slots, :and means for operatingthe oon- 7.. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with ian 1endless skeleton conveyor composed. Aof a series ot transverse parallel springs, rollers iournaled A by the rods of the conveyor vand moved in- 'nvardly therebyA and returned :by the springs, :a discharge guide plate engaging the upper surface of the conveyor and having recesses in its adjacent edges to accommodate the passage-'ot the links of the conveyor, and means to operate the conveyor.

8. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with al horizontally movable skeleton conveyor adapted to carry table cutlery thereon by the supporting action ot the car-4 rierralone, lof means for moving 'said carrier, and Va cam plate beneath the 4same and substantially in contact therewith near the point off ldischarge adapted to raise any cutlery thereon extending through the carrier.

9. In a. -dish-washing machine, the combination with a horizontally movable skeleton carrier consisting of an endless belt .made up of transverse parallel rods connected fby spaced longitudinal members, of .sprocket wheels co-operating with the rods kto support the carrier, means for rotating said wheels,

yand a cam plate beneath and substantially enl gaging the rods and extending between the wheels over which the cutlery is discharged.

10. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with a trame consisting `of a pair of side plates, of a horizontally movable skele ton carrier consisting of an endless belt made up et transverse parallel rods connected by spaced longitudinal members, sprocket wheels co-operating with the rods to support the carrier, means for rotating the wheels, and a cam plate beneath said carrier secured at its lower end tothe inner side of the side plate land having the main portion-thereof extending upwardly vat an angle to a point directly beneath the carrier which it substantially engages and lthence curved concentrically with the axes of the wheels at the discharge ends -to the discharge point.

l1. ln a dishfwashing machine, the combination with yside frames, of a horizontally movable skeleton carrier adapted to carry table cutlery thereon by the supporting yaction ot the carrier alone, amember over which the cutlery is discharged below the end of 'the conveyor, va discharge table above said member, and a :switch plate pivoted adjacent the table to directl the cutlery on to the table or allo-iv it to pass .over -saidme-mber, 1depending Eupen howit is adjusted.

l2. In a dish-washing machine,the combination with a trame,1ofa horizontally mova'ble skeleton carrier mounted therein ladapted to carry table cutleryr thereon, means tor moving said carrier, a cam pla-te beneath the same near `,the point of discharge adapted to raise any cutlery thereon extending through the carrier, a member fever which the cutlery be discharged below the end of the conveyor, adischarge tablecarried by said frame :above rsaid member, and a switch plate pivoted on the frame aclj'acentthe table to direct the cutlery on to the table or allow it to pass over the member, :depending on how it is adjusted.

13. In a dish-washing machine, the com# bination withva frame consisting of a pair of side plates,^of a horizontally movable vskeleton carrier `consisting of an endlcsbelt made up of transverse parallel -rodswoonnected by spaced longitudinal 'f members, sprocket wheels (3o-operating with'the rods to support the carrier, means for driving' the carrier, a cam plate beneath'said carrier secured at its lower end to the inner side of the side plate and having the main portion there-of 'extending upward-ly vat an angle to Aa point directly beneath the c'a/rrier and ythence curved concentric with the laxes of the wheels at `the discharge end to fthe discharge point, and a member connecting theends l:of the y:trame in c ci the plane of the hubs of a wheel over which the cutlery may be discharged below the end of the conveyor.

14. In a dish-washing machine, thercomi pivoted adjacentV the table to direct the cut-V lery on to the table or allow it to fall over the member, depending on how it is adjusted, said switch plate consisting of a sheet-metal plate supported by a wire bail having its inturned ends engaging the supporting brackets of the table.

15. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with an endless skeleton conveyor adapted to receive table cutlery at one point and automatically to discharge it at another point, of a plate extending beneath a portion of theV conveyor to a place just beyond the discharge point, said plate having slots therein at the discharge point, spring-pressed rollers beneath the plate proj ectin into the slots, means to prevent the'rollers rom being depressed out of the slots, and means to operate the conveyor. p

16. In a dish-washing machine, the combination with an endless skeleton conveyor adapted to receive table cutlery at one point and automatically to discharge it at another point, of a plate extending beneath the conveyor to a point beyond the discharge point, said plate point, leaf springs secured at one of their ends to the under side of the plate, a transverse rod secured in the free end of the leaf springs, rollers journaled on the rod, stops to prevent the inward movement of the rod to keep the rollers in the slots, and means for I: operating the conveyor.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of December, 1930.

WALDEMAR L. LINDGREN.

having slots therein at its discharge Y 

